Deadliest United States tornadoes. The cyclone that swept Joplin, Mo., Sunday evening is the latest in a long line of destructive twisters. Here are the 10 most deadly U.S. tornado events on record, by the number of deaths.

March 18, 1925 The Tri-State Tornado
Number of deaths: 695

Where: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana

Find estimated damage: The Tri-State Tornado is considered the deadliest tornado in U.S. history, totaling billions in damages.

April 27, 2011 the 2011 Super Outbreak
Number of deaths: 318

Where: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia

Find estimated damage: Known as the 2011 Super Outbreak, these tornadoes spanned four days and caused widespread damages across several states.

May 6, 1840, tornado
Number of deaths: 317

Where: Louisiana, Mississippi

Find estimated damage: Known as the Great Natchez Tornado, this storm moved along the Mississippi River and into Natchez, Miss., destroying buildings. Damages are unknown.

May 27, 1896 St. Louis tornado
Number of deaths: 255

Where: Missouri, Illinois

Find estimated damage: Also known as the St. Louis – East St. Louis tornado, it was part of a major tornado outbreak and was one of the most destructive in history

April 5, 1936 Tupelo-Gainesville tornado
Number of deaths: 216

Where: Mississippi

Find estimated damage: This outbreak of 17 tornadoes, also known as Tupelo-Gainesville tornado, produced flash floods and millions of dollars in damages.

April 6, 1936, tornado
Number of deaths: 203

Where: Georgia

Estimated damage: Multiple tornadoes caused millions in damage

April 9, 1947, tornado
Number of deaths: 181

Where: Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma

Estimated damage: Unknown.

April 24, 1908, tornado
Number of deaths: 143

Where: Louisiana and Mississippi

Estimated damage: This is known as the Dixie Tornado Outbreak, and the estimated damage is unknown.

June 12, 1899, tornado
Number of deaths: 117

Where: Wisconsin

Estimated damage: Known as the New Richmond Tornado, it struck at 4:30 p.m. EST and caused massive damage. See photos of the damage.

June 8, 1953, tornado
Number of deaths: 115

Where: Michigan

Estimated damage: Known as the Beecher Tornado, it struck at 8:30 p.m. EST and caused millions in damage. See photos of the damage.
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